Veteran film producer Eric Groth and writer-director Andrew Hyatt of Sacred Arthouse are teaming with Zach Dasher and Korie Robertson on Forever and Ever, Amen, a biopic about the life of country music legend Randy Travis. Hyatt will direct off of his own script.
The Grand Ole Opry played host to the announcement of the biopic Wednesday night that included performances by Travis’ friends including country star Clay Walker, Collin Raye, Lady A, James Dupré and more.
The pic is currently being cast by Anne McCarthy, Kellie Roy and Morgan Robbins at Engine Casting, and production has established that Travis will be played by three actors of different ages. Walker will play Travis in his 40s and 50s and executive produce alongside Travis and his wife Mary Travis.
Engine Casting is on the lookout for young actors to play Travis at around age 9-12 and at age 20-30, with the search aiming to net two new rising stars. The film marks the first for Sacred Arthouse.
Travis is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame with 23 No. 1 worldwide hits, seven Grammy Awards, 11 ACM Awards, 10 American Music Awards and five CMA Awards. The film’s titular song “Forever and Ever, Amen” earned CMA Awards as Single and Album of the Year when it debuted in 1987, going on to become certified quintuple platinum.
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Travis suffered a debilitating stroke about 12 years ago but continues to release original music with the aid of technologies.
Tonight at the Grand Ole Opry, Dupré introduced his mentor Travis during an emotional rendition of “Where That Came From,” featuring Travis’ vocals on half of the song. Walker capped the night following his own hits with Travis’ iconic “I Told You So,” reintroducing Travis and his wife to make the announcement of the movie in development.
The evening closed with Walker performing “Forever and Ever, Amen” that included a special “amen” from Travis at the end.
The post Randy Travis Biopic In Works With Country Music Star Clay Walker Set To Play Icon appeared first on Deadline.
